Fitting Cat Flap in UPVC Door Panel

Cat flaps allow your pet to go in and out at their own pace, without needing to let them in or out. They also can help stop your cat from urinating in the home.
Fitting a cat flap in the door panel made of upvc is much simpler than installing one in a glass door, but it does require some skills and the proper tools.
Take a look at the Door
The installation of a cat flap in the front door is difficult however, so long as the cat flap is of the correct one and you follow the instructions, it shouldn't be too difficult. We will show you how to draw the shape and then use an jigsaw to cut the door's opening. Then we will finish the job by attaching the cat flap. This will ensure the flap is in place and protects the doors from damage caused by rain and wind.
The first thing you need to do is measure the width of your pet in order to get a precise measurement of the size of cat flap you'll require. This will enable you to select a cat flap that is large enough to allow your pet to walk into the house and leave without having to open the door every time.
If your kit comes with an illustration of where to drill, you can put it on the door and then draw around it. If your door has moulding or sill on the bottom edge of it then make sure you have clearance from these to keep your cat safe and stop them from gaining access to your home.
Use a set square to make sure you're cutting properly and to make sure the hole is in a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with this, you are able to start removing the rest of the door material. Utilize a set square to ensure that you are cutting the material properly and that the cut is a rectangle shape. When you are satisfied with the result, you can remove the remaining door material.
Draw a Line
The cat flap is a great way to allow your pet to go out and in without having to worry about them being in the house with visitors or leaving unwelcome gifts in the house. It also stops draughts and helps keep your home's temperature in check. Fitting a cat flap to your door might seem difficult to those who haven't done it before. A lot of people will hire a professional carpenter or joiner to do the work. This is an option but you can do it yourself if your tools are in order and the directions are followed.
This is much easier to do on wooden doors, but it is still possible with uPVC. However, you must be careful not to damage the doors since this could make it impossible to claim your warranty. The first step in the process is to measure the door and ensure that it can be able to accommodate the new cat flap. If you have an ordinary uPVC panel, this should be easy. However when your door is composite or a different type of door, you might require more care.
The next step is to determine the height of your cat's belly. This is the distance from the floor to the lower part of the cat's stomach, and you will need to find a spot on the door that will be within the range that your cat is able to comfortably walk through. Once you know this, you will need to mark out the area with a pencil and a spirit level so that you can be sure that the hole you will make will be a good fit for your cat.
After you have marked the area, it is time to make the hole. You will require a jigsaw and it is important that you be patient to ensure that the cuts are smooth and clean, rather than rough and uneven, as this could damage your door. Wear safety glasses and a dust mask when working with a jigsaw. Inhaling sawdust can be harmful for your health. Once you've finished cutting the hole, you'll require sandpaper to smooth the edges so that the cat flap is easily inserted into the hole.
Cut cat flap fitting can be a challenge to put the cat flap onto the door panel or double glazing unit. You might be tempted to tackle the task yourself, but unless you have experience with DIY, it's probably best to get an expert to complete the task for you. A botched job could not only be ugly but also pose security risks. It could let cold air in when the cat is outside and hot air out when the cat is inside.
The first thing you need to do is mark the position of the hole in the door with pencil and a spirit level. This will ensure that it is placed and runs parallel to the other parts of the door. It is important to have a piece of sandpaper at hand for any rough edges.
After the line is drawn, you can cut the hole with a jigsaw, remember to wear any safety equipment for working with the power tool. If you are concerned about the noise of the jigsaw, consider buying one that is cordless, which is quieter and more user-friendly to use.
You should only remove the material that is required to create the flap. A little bit of extra material is required to increase the thickness of the the flap, but removing more than that can cause problems or harm the frame of the door.
A upvc door may contain a metal frame or panel within it that could interfere with the microchip cat flap, and in this case you'll need to make an over-sized hole to ensure that the metal does not come into contact with the wall of the cat flap. If this is done, it is important to fill in the gap and render it watertight.
If you want to install a cat flap in windows made of double-glazed or upvc with frames made of metal you'll need to talk to an expert. They will provide you with a new piece of glass that has the hole already pre-made for the cat flap. It is cheaper to do this than trying to fix the flap to an existing glass pane that hasn't been designed specifically for the purpose.
Fit the Flap
Cat flaps allow your pet the freedom to move around whenever they like, allowing them to relax at home whenever they want to. However, if you own a uPVC door it can be difficult to install a cat flap, particularly when you don't have glass panes that can be cut for one. If you're able to purchase and install a half-glazed replacement uPVC panel then it is possible to fit a cat flap to the doors. It's not as simple as just cutting a hole in the door however, and there are a few things you'll need to take care of first to ensure that it's secure.
A composite, uPVC, or GRP door panel is generally composed of a plastic skin that is attached to an insulating polystyrene base. It is essential to be careful when cutting the material. This kind of door typically has a template which you can use as a reference to cut the hole into the door.
Once you've determined the location of the hole in your door, now it's time to install the flap itself. You can choose from a range of designs, from simple push-button units to microchip-activated ones that allow your pet in. Whatever type of cat flap you pick it's essential that your cat is able to use the flap comfortably without getting stuck outside in bad weather.
It's a good idea choose circular fittings rather than one that is square, since circles are more securely cut into door glass. This is because square holes can make glass more vulnerable to cracking when drills are used on it. It's also a much safer choice to use since you don't risk drilling into toughened glass that could shatter and cause injury to your pet or your family. This is especially important if there are elderly or children in your home who could be hurt by glass shards.